Her husband, Jerry R. Potts, 83, who bought the newly married couple's home on Second Street for $10,800 in 1960, said the tax bill on their home that's assessed at nearly $100,000 will jump by $100 to almost $589.

"That's getting tough to do on a flat income," said Potts, who served for 24 years on the Gov. Mifflin School Board.

Council on Thursday also adopted a 2014 budget with a projected general-fund expenditure of $8,299,900, which Galvin said is slightly above the 2013 spending plan.

In other business, council President Ronald C. Dunkelberger handed framed certificates of appreciation to three departing councilmen and a former member whose combined 75 years of dedicated service to the community are unsurpassed, he said.

Ending his 32 years on council, Conrad Vanino said, "What we do is for love of the borough."

With 20 years of service, Gene E. Waltz said he was happy to have helped make the streets and sidewalks safer.

After his eight years, Galvin said the borough has one of the best police forces in Berks, with highly experienced officers who have assimilated into the community to make it as safe as possible.

And former Councilman Richard Brown, who moved to Robesonia this summer because of family illness and was succeeded by Dr. George B. Clark, was asked to continue participating in community events.

Also, the panel heard:

•Mayor Andrew R. Hivner report that testing continues for the hiring of one more police officer for the seven-member police department, which is one officer short.

•Councilwoman Elizabeth M. Bentz, who heads the Shillington Tree Advisory Committee, said members soon will start knocking on doors to seek business partners for the beautification of Lancaster Avenue.